he had this to say about why republicans are obstructing hagel's nomination. >> senator hagel's main transgression is that he is a republican who has questioned policies that are sacred among most conservative senators. the intensity of opposition that senator is encountering is grounded in the resentments of some conservatives inside and outside the senate who regard his independent thinking as political blasphemy for which he should not be rewarded. >> senator, you know the senate now. this is your second term. can you read it? is there going to be a vote to twri to get cloture to end this filibuster when you come back on monday after this monday? >> well, that's what's so sad about this game. everyone voting today knows that chuck hague sel going to be confirmed. in fact, there are a number of people who have made commitments that they will, in fact, vote for cloture when we return. so this is some kind of grandstanding that goes on. i'm confident he'll get the votes when we return around he will take his place as secretary of state. but he is going to miss the nato conference nex